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Stress Fractures. How To Recognize the Symptoms.
Stress fractures are usually caused by some change in the way we walk or exercise. These changes in the way we move can cause the bones in our feet and outlying connective tissues to become unstable. This instability can cause minute tears in the bone and become worse if untreated. The bones around the foot may become unstable and fracture if subjected to repetitive activity while exercising, walking, or working that contributes to the instability of the foot.
There are also some hereditary conditions that do not directly put the feet at risk for fractures, but may contribute to the problem. One case of this would be a flat footed gait that under normal conditions would not contribute to a stress fracture, but under constant impact with hard surfaces would put the foot at risk.
Stress fractures are not usually caused by a simple traumatic event but usually develop from the repeated activity of whatever form of exercise that is causing the trauma. X-rays are often ineffective in showing the more mild cases of stress fractures. Usually X rays will pick up the stress fracture after 30 days of observed symptoms. Bone scans are often better at observing joint changes in the connective tissues following a stress fracture. Like other treatments that are orthopedic in nature, recommendations are for rest, ice, compression and a foot cast if the fracture is bad enough. Custom orthotics are good for the prevention of future stress fractures and for the treatment of existing ones.
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Athletes Foot
